Candid Thoughts About the planDisney Moms Panel Application

The Disney Parks Moms Panel is now rebranded to planDisney. Which makes a whole lot of sense in this day and age. Go Disney! The planDisney Moms Panel application for the 2023 search will open on September 7, 2022 and close on September 13, 2022. What is the Disney Parks Moms Panel and why is this a big deal? If you are the expert in Disney-ness for your friends and family, then you might want to consider applying in the future. Here’s what you need to know about the planDisney application process.

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What is planDisney (aka The Disney Parks Moms Panel)?

It’s an online community of moms, dads, grandparents (and at least one aunt in the past!) who answer questions about planning Disney Parks vacations.

They are real people, just like you and me, with a healthy dose of Disney love and knowledge.

Heard of a Disney Adult before? These are the cream of the crop when it comes to being a Disney Adult expert!

Let’s examine the pixie dust.

I’m not going to blow it all over your computer screen: this application process is not for the weak of heart. Especially if you want it REALLY REALLY BAD.

It can be torture wrapped up in Disney magic.

How do I know? I’ve been there and done that.

Seven times- with many hours spent obsessing over this process.

Way too many. Like, an embarrassing amount of time spent on this. I’m just being honest here; I really wanted this job (but the Mouse had other plans for me!)

Here’s the candid scoop on applying for the planDisney panel or as it was formerly known as the Disney Parks Moms Panel.

The Disney Parks Moms Panel Application Process Begins For the 2023 Class

This will be the 16th year of the planDisney Panel and if you are planning to be part of the planning magic, listen up!

Applications for the 2022 planDisney Panel search opens soon- on September 7, 2022!

Read this post from the planDisney search page for the info about last years search:

planDisney is an online forum of real Guests who have mastered the art of planning a Disney vacation. These passionate planners provide personalized responses to guests all over the world to help them create the most magical vacations ever and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Each year, we search for new, enthusiastic and knowledgeable Guests to join this group of vacation planning pros.

This year’s search for new planDisney panelists will kick off at NOON ET on September 7th 2022 and run through NOON ET on September 13th 2022.

We’re searching for a diverse group of Guests who’ve “been there,” and are excited to share their vacation tips, heartfelt advice and real stories for getting the most out of a Disney vacation, whether it be a trip to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, sailing the high seas with Disney Cruise Line or using your Disney Vacation Club membership to travel to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.

In the meantime, if you are interested, we encourage you to study up on what planDisney is all about and what it takes to be a panelist:

Review the Participation & Eligibility Requirements(opens a new browser window)
Visit the About planDisney page to learn more on the program
Meet the current panelist on the Meet the Panel page
Stay tuned to @planDisneypanel on Instagram (opens a new browser window)as the current panelists share what it’s like to be a planDisney Panelist and give insights on the Search process
Check the current Q&A for inspiration
Please make sure you have a My Disney Experience account and are able to log in.

What Happens During a planDisney Panel Search?

On the day the application opens you’ll log into your Disney account (or to create one if you don’t have one) and start your application.

The application is usually open for about a week to 10 days, and in my case, it took me all of those days to complete.

Is the Moms Panel Application Long?

Is it that detailed? That intense?

Nope. I just made it that way.

I wanted it to be practically perfect in every way!

It was fun- but I honestly invested way too much of my life into this process.

Candid thoughts on the Disney Parks Moms Panel Application Process

Autocorrect hits once again… Patty is a Party!

Let me be clear: I’m not trying to dissuade you from applying.

If you have a love of Disney planning, apply- by all means! You can’t win the race unless you toe the line.

But don’t be me.

Don’t let it take over your life, friends.

Because when it comes to talking Disney (and I know I’m preaching to the choir!) it’s easy to do.

The planDisney Panel Application Questions (Disney Parks Moms Panel Questions)

What exactly is Disney looking for? How hard are these questions they ask you to answer?

Are they looking for someone who’s been to the parks a zillion times?
Are they looking for someone with specific experiences or skills?
Are they looking for your expertise in time management with kids and Grands in tow?
Do they want proof that you know the difference between a churro and a dole whip, and where you can buy both?

Maybe?

But Disney doesn’t come right out and say that.

They ask innocent questions like “tell us about your most memorable experience at Walt Disney World”… in 200 words or less.

200 words, are they serious? Yep, they are. As serious as midnight is to Cinderella.

Somewhere in the answer to that question & others like it the folks on the selection committee will find all they need to know.

Disney Parks Moms Panel Application: No, REALLY, What Are They Looking For?

Great question!

They are looking for correct grammar, punctuation, and an excellent grasp of Disney nomenclature.

Well, duh. I mean, you’d expect that, right? The job is all about communication, so those are pretty important issues to consider.

But what are they REALLY looking for?

No one knows.

And Disney sure isn’t telling us. I think that’s my biggest complaint about the process.

Look, it’s magic and pixie dust and all that… sure.

But bottom line: it’s a job, and most jobs I’ve applied to give a basic idea of what they are looking for.

This one?

This one doesn’t give you much to go on.

You could be the perfect fit for what they need or a complete miss, but since we just don’t know… well, we don’t know.

There’s also no feedback on why you move on to the next round, or why you do not. Unfortunately, the sheer amount of applications makes it impossible for the selection team to provide that feedback.

You just have to put your faith & trust in pixie dust and hope for the best.

The planDisney Panel Competition

There’s a lot of it.

Back to what Disney won’t tell us: the actual numbers involved.

You may wonder how many applicants apply. I’ve heard hard numbers given between 10,000 and 20,000 over the years. I’ve heard rumors of less than that; I’ve heard rumors of more than that.

That’s a lot of people applying for… wait, how many openings are there again?

Um… yeah… we don’t even know how many spots are open each year. There have been years when the panel selected 22, and there have been years when only ten lucky folks made the panel.

Members of the 2016 Disney Parks Moms Panel (PRNewsFoto/Disney Parks)

You won’t know how many spots are available until the panel is chosen.

How Much Time Does the Disney Parks Moms Panel Application Process Take?

Jiminy Cricket, y’all, this is a long process.

And the exact dates are rarely given out as far as notification timelines go.

You might wait a couple of weeks or even a month before you hear if you are moving on to the next round.

You can make yourself crazy with the waiting. Ask me how I know…

planDisney Panelist Pay and Benefits

It’s a job. Are you picking up what I’m throwing down here?

I know I’m repeating myself, but that’s the main thing you should acknowledge before you apply.

Is there a Disney Moms Panel / planDisney Panel salary?

You’ll work your booty off for Disney and spend hours online answering questions for guests.

You get to talk Disney and research random questions like where to find baked potatoes on property.

Spoiler: not in the parks at this time. BOO!

Bless Moms Panel Amy M for telling me about my (now) favorite snack on property! These potatoes are the bomb dot com, y’all!

Most of this work will be for the love of Disney as it is officially an unpaid position. But not without perks and benefits!

There is a reward trip and the possibility of other fun things throughout the time you serve.

The perks can be pretty sweet, but Disney won’t be asking for your direct deposit information for a bi-weekly deposit is what I’m saying here.

If you’re looking for a Moms Panel salary, there isn’t one. This isn’t that kind of job.

Check out the Disney Parks Moms Panel Application FAQs here.

Why Be a Moms Panelist?

I don’t know a single Moms Panelist who says they regret the time they spent answering questions for Disney. Not a one.

Most feel the experience is well worth the lack of pay.

They are officially part of the Disney family. They get to peek behind the curtain and see how the magic happens. Their job is to talk Disney and to give guests the most accurate information they can.

But even more important:

The Disney Parks Moms Panel search opens soon! If you're the go-to Disney person in your family, you may want to apply. But read this BEFORE you do.

Part of the Moms Panel Class of 2014 & 2015 at Epcot.

They find their tribe in their class of Moms Panelists.

Many become lifelong friends who then become family; take vacations together, support each other when times are tough, and grieve and cheer each other throughout life. Every class seems to have the same bonding experience.

That’s a super awesome reason to apply if you ask me.

Can you put a price on that? Nope. You really can’t.

Why I’m Not Applying to the Disney Moms Panel

I’m ineligible! How’s that for a good reason not to apply? Ha!

A few years ago, I became a travel agent which takes me out of the running.

I’m way ok with this turn of events: I’m still helping guests, and I’m having the best time doing it!

Guys- clients, friends- thank you so much for letting me do this for you. It’s been a pleasure!

There are stories of people who applied every year and FINALLY make the panel. I don’t want to be a dream crusher, so I think it’s only fair to share that it *can* happen.

It’s just not going to be my story is all.

I didn’t lose, however. I won BIG when it came to my time as a Moms Panel Hopeful.

Unintentional twinning with my Moms Panel bestie @lolalambchops. #IKNOWHER

What I took from my seven years of applying is bigger than any reward trip I could imagine: I found my ‘Ohana.

Maybe I wasn’t meant to be a panelist, but without the process, I wouldn’t have become as close to some of my most cherished friends.

Disney World Move It Shake It Dance and Play It Street Party costumes

One of these things is not like the other… My Disney MP fam adopted me. Awwww! This is a small representation of the class of 2014 and some of my favorite magic makers.

They are smart, hilarious, and good.

And I’m honored that I get to be part of their world- even if I’m not part of THAT world.

If you’re applying in the next round, GOOD LUCK! I’m sending you all my pixie dust!